The wonderfully talented Spike Milligan died in February 2002, aged 83, but since then his grave has remained bare except for a small cherub. However, that all changed yesterday when stonemasons arrived to fit a long-awaited headstone to his grave at St Thomas' church, Winchelsea, East Sussex.

The stone is inscribed with Milligan's now famous epitaph "I told you I was ill!"  The phrase is inscribed on the 4ft-high stone in Gaelic, and reads: "Duirt me leat go raibh me breoite."

 There had been earlier reports that Spike's family had had disagreements over the wording, but this was later denied.

Speaking about the new addition to his cemetery, Priest, the Venerable Fred George, said: "It was news to me until I saw the workers - I am glad Mr Milligan finally has a distinguished memorial. He's buried to the west of the churchyard - not far from a Lord, so he's in good company."